ISBN Number: 978-0-9939301-0-2

Abstract

This article discusses mummification processes, both natural and
intentional, and presents a brief history of ancient Egyptian
mummification procedures. The article then provides an overview of
existing technologies for analyzing mummies, and the varied uses and
applications of examining mummies. It also presents some background
and issues related to mummy storage and display in museum
environments. Given the ancient procedures used, the limitations of
modern analysis techniques, and the existing problems trying to store
and display mummies today, the article concludes by summarizing
both the current challenges and benefits of the present-day study of
mummies, and offering some cautions.

The first Canadian Mission and Thmuis (‘Mission Canadienne de Thmouis’ = MCT) took place from May 14 to June 9, 2013. The 2013 mission’s team included: Katherine Blouin (University of Toronto, historian and papyrologist, head of mission), Giorgia Marchiori (Italian Egyptian Archaeology Center, archaeologist), Thomas Faucher (IFAO, archaeologist and numismatist), Rachel Mairs (University of Reading, archaeologist and papyrologist), Mohamed Kenawi (Alexandria Center for Hellenistic Studies, ceramist and archaeologist), Nicholas Hudson (University of North Carolina Wilmington, ceramist), Aude Simony (Université de Poitiers, ceramist), Matthieu Van Peene (independent scholar, architect), A. Kirby (University of Toronto, historian and archaeologist). The SCA was represented by Mr Mohamed Mostafa Alshafey, inspector. The MCT is a semi-autonomous mission that takes place within the general concession and with the persmission of the University of Hawaii’s mission at Tell Timai (R. Littman and J. Silverstein dirs).